Will Smith, who works at the Fish Bar at Bellerive Beach, gets set for a busy day today with the sold out match between Australia and England at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Luke Bowden Source: Mercury

BELLERIVE cafes, pubs and restaurants are gearing up for a busy day thanks to the sold-out Twenty20 match between Australia and England.

Today's match at Blundstone Arena is the state's only full men's international fixture and tickets sold out last week.

Cricket Tasmania media officer Ned Worledge said many cricket fans had tried in vain to get tickets in the past few days, vindicating the decision to upgrade the arena to allow for bigger crowds.

"It sold out about a week ago, which is fantastic. It really proves that the further development of the ground is absolutely needed," Mr Worledge said.

Crowd capacity has been reduced while the ground's $30 million redevelopment continues, but Mr Worledge said 13,500 people were expected to flock to the oval if all sponsor and corporate ticket-holders turn up.